Wicked Rage of the Moon: Book Three of the Airendell Chronicles (24 page)

He stands outside Kyle’s room for a few moments before knocking.  He can hear Valliant and Kyle chatting quietly and doesn’t really want to interrupt.  When he does enter his son’s room he is concerned, the teen looks as exhausted as his younger brother.  “Kyle, did you not sleep well?”

“No Dad, I didn’t.  I kept dreaming about Rolan and you.  I can’t believe he is so much on my mind.”  Kyle says.  He rubs his face and then says, “I am going to shower and then go help Auggie with the cooking.”  Luca smiles proudly before he turns to walk towards the kitchen

Valliant catches up with Luca and asks; “How is Morna after the latest healing rite?”

“She is much stronger this time, but tired.  Right now she is sleeping with Nora.  I hope they sleep for a few hours.  But we really need to tell these boys about Rolan.  Nora kept it to herself, but yet her brothers are dreaming about him.  I wonder if it is some type of attack.” Luca says thoughtfully.

“Magic isn’t really my area, but I suspect it has more to do with the fact that Nora knows and the boys are empathic,” Valliant says calmly, “Gullveig is here too.  We stayed in the room across from Nora’s last night.  We can ask her what she thinks.”

When they arrive in the kitchen, Gullveig is there and Luca tells her about his concerns.  She agrees with Valliant.  “Nora radiates emotions that are so rich and detailed that they are almost like pictures.  I am sure that is why the boys are dreaming about Rolan.  Maybe they feel disloyal thinking about Rolan and that is why they are dreaming about you.”

Luca feels very uncomfortable at that comment but chooses to ignore it.  “Well, I would appreciate it if you would check the children for curses, just to be safe.  Perhaps you can find a way to break the tracer spells your daughter reportedly put on each child.  I am also going to ask Mordir to come examine Aiden.  He looks very tired this morning.” Luca says.

Gullveig nods and smiles at Luca.  She is watching him speculatively.  “You truly love those children, don’t you?”

Luca smiles happily and says, “I do.  They are exceptionally fine and talented children.  But I would treasure them regardless, just because they are the children of, my Morna.”

“I know that, Lucian.” Valgullveig says.  “Is Morna resting?”

“She is,” Luca confirms.  “Nora is sleeping with her.  Morna is convinced that we need to figure out how to take this confrontation to your daughter and stop waiting for her next move.”

“I understand that reasoning, we might be able to catch her off guard.” Valliant says.  “But I fear forcing a confrontation.  I don’t want to lose either of my daughters.”  Valliant looks like a man being tortured.  “Perhaps I should confront Val.  Maybe I should have taken a stronger hand in her life all along.”

“She probably would have just resented the interference Valliant.  You know how strong willed she has always been.  She has always resisted when you tried to get closer to her.”  Gullveig says honestly.  “Don’t blame this nonsense on yourself.  She chose this path.  This mess is not your fault.”

Auggie, who had been quietly working on preparing the meal speaks up now.  “Lady Valgullveig was destined to take this path.  Lord Valliant, you could have done naught to change her course.  I am just not sure that she is truly responsible for her actions.  There is a dark force at work here… I just don‘t understand it.”

Luca looks at Auggie speculatively.  “Auggie, Morna says that she detects very strong magic in you, but we have not seen any evidence of how that magic is manifested.  May I ask what your area of strength is?”

“I am a seer,” Auggie says quietly as she turns back to the counter where she is preparing scones for baking.

“Auggie?” She reluctantly turns back to Luca and he continues, “May I ask what you have seen pertaining to Valgullveig and my mate?”

“My visions about those two are constantly changing.  I think because they both keep making decisions that change the outcome.  Right now, I see a lot of pain for all who love them both if we can’t change the overall course that they are on.  If they meet on the Assylian plain, I believe they will both die.  I think that might be the plan.  I think someone is using those girls like chess pieces.  There is another player in the shadows, one who hasn‘t revealed himself or herself yet.  And it is definitely another persona directing things, not Valgullveig.” Auggie says sadly.

Morna speaks from the doorway.  Ewan MacGregor and Morna are standing in the doorway. “That is what I just saw in my dream.  Sleeping with my two little seers is a powerful experience.”  Morna says as she rubs her belly.  “Luca, we need to get everyone gathered, I have an idea.  But I want Nora, Sammy and Auggie with us when we discuss it.” 

“I agree with the lady,” Ewan says looking at Auggie.  “Val isn’t doing this because she wants to.  Val wouldn’t hurt anyone who wasn’t hurting her if she had a choice.  And we damned well better avoid Morna and Valgullveig confronting each other on the Assylian plain, we will lose both of them!”

Morna nods, “I know in my gut you are right Ewan.  I am missing something and it’s driving me nuts!”  She walks over to Luca and wraps her arms around his waist, and he strokes her back gently.  Suddenly Morna turns and looks at Ewan, “MacGregor, we need to know if any of those who attacked us last night were Shape Shifters.  You would be able to tell, right?”

“I would.”

“Do you mind?  We need to know who all we have to watch out for.”  Ewan nods and Valliant leads him to the bodies at the Healer’s Hall.

Morna goes to stand before Auggie, “Do you mind helping us?”

“Of course not, my Lady.  I have always hated being a seer, and tried to ignore it.  But my visions are coming more often, and they are much more detailed.  I must face up to what I am.  I can be of some help, I believe.” Auggie says sadly.

Morna hugs the elderly cook.  “Thank you.  I know this is a sacrifice for you.”

Auggie smiles and says, “Not really.   I spent sixty years pretending I was an ordinary woman.  I finally embraced what I was and spontaneously ascended as an old woman.  That was almost two hundred years ago.  But I have been avoiding the true calling on my life even after ascension.  It is time I utilize my ‘gift’ for the good of someone, and stop pretending it doesn’t exist.”

“Yes, but it is still a burden.”  Morna says quietly and pats Auggie’s shoulder.  Morna then laughs and says, “Auggie, you are one hot sixty year old.”

“Yeah, I look pretty good for an old woman,” Auggie says with a chuckle.

The group quickly finishes preparing brunch.  By now the children have all joined them and the group eats in relative silence.  When the meal is almost over Maria, Rodrigo and Mordir arrive. 

Rodrigo is watching Morna closely before he speaks, “I thought you would be resting, Lady Morna.”

Morna laughs and says, “I could say the same of you my friend.  I really need to talk to you and Mordir, but first I have to talk to my children.” 

Luca and Morna lead all five of their children back to their private sitting room.  When everyone is comfortable Morna sighs and says, “I have news for Kyle and Aiden…”

“I think I know Mom.” Kyle says quietly.  “I have been dreaming of Rolan and Aiden has too.  He is still alive isn’t he?”

“Yes, son, Rolan is alive.  He is an immortal.  He is the son of a dark elf and a highland dimensional jumper.  So you children are descended from two magical beings, not just one.  He is in Airendell and demanding to see the three of you,” Morna says quietly.

“Why is he in Airendell?” Aiden asks.

“Because that is where I have ordered him held until I decide what to do with him.  We found out that he has been working with Valgullveig all along.  I am sorry to have to tell you this, but he knew exactly who I was and that I was already mated to someone else when he married me.  We found him last night threatening Elias with a gun, demanding to be taken to you three.  I had him held at the gateway until I could talk to you kids.”

“I am not surprised to learn that he knew about you being mated to Luca Mom,” says Kyle.  “Once when I went with him when he demanded visitation, I asked him how come he was so angry with you all the time.  He said it was because he wasn’t the one you really wanted.  I got mad and told him you would not be unfaithful as long as you were married to him and he said, ‘Yeah, I know. 
Deidra the perfect
would never knowingly cheat on someone that she was married to.’  I guess it really bothered him to know that if Luca was around, or if you even knew about Luca, you wouldn’t have even given him a second look.”

Morna shrugs at that information and says, “Well, like I said, he is demanding to see you.  He is claiming his rights under the Code of Paternal Bond.”

“What is that?” Asks Aiden.

“It is a law among all magical realms that says a mother cannot withhold her children from their father.  The law became necessary after a couple of wars were fought over paternal rights.  There is a similar law that protects the rights of a mother if the father has custody of the children,” Kylor tells his little brother as he pats his knee reassuringly.  When he notices how upset Kyle and Aiden both look at the news he continues, “But there is an upside to this…”

“I won’t go!” Kyle says stonily.  “He can go to hell.  He is not my Father, Lucian Michaels is my Father, and I defy anyone to say otherwise.”

“That’s the up side little brother,” Kylor reassures him.  “You can sever the bond.  Only the children can sever the bond.  But it must be done in person and in front of impartial witnesses.  There has to be a hearing.”

Nora, who has looked pretty bored up this point suddenly says, “Look, Mom calls four witnesses; Tarvish of Scotland, Mars the Roman God of War, Taranis the Celtic god of thunder, and Hector, an Aztec Prince who is also a Shape shifter.  He is an immortal being that keeps the infestation of those nasty vampires under control in Mexico.  No offense Daddy.  They aren’t like you and Damian.”

“No offense taken, Pumpkin.  I am acquainted with Hector.  We met once during your Mama’s time in Mexico.  He actually helped me find her that time.  He had gotten word that an immortal was being held captive, he told me where to find her.  But how is Mars impartial?”  Luca asks his daughter.

“Daddy, he is your grandfather.  Biologically speaking, he is no relation to us.  We have only met him once.  It is perfectly reasonable that he will be seen as impartial.  Okay, this is what happens; Tarvish votes in favor of Rolan because Valgullveig is holding his wife and youngest child captive to make him do her bidding.  Taranis is offended because Rolan married Mom when he knew that she had a mate that she couldn’t remember, so he votes against Rolan.  Mars votes against Rolan just to piss Valgullveig off.  His words not mine.”  Everyone chuckles at that.  “Hector votes against Rolan because he says Rolan is dishonorable excuse for a man.  Presto! The Paternal Bond is severed because it only takes three votes.” Nora finishes with a smile.

“Then why should we even invite Tarvish?” Asks Aideen.

“Because I need his help and he needs mine,” says Morna quietly.  “Rolan claims that you three have the MacQuahae gene that enables dimension jumping.  We don’t know how to activate it or how you would use it.  Tarvish can teach you.  Then you could keep yourselves safe from Valgullveig.  We need this advantage because Rolan allowed Valgullveig to put a tracer spell on each of you during infancy.  She can come to any of you any time she wishes.  We must be prepared.  In turn, we will free his wife and youngest child.  It should be a win-win for everyone but my sister.” 

Morna is watching Nora as she talks, her daughter seems to be digesting everything.  Suddenly the little girl looks sad and looks down at her hands.  “What do you see Nora?” Morn asks quietly.

“The Dark One kills Rolan for failing her.”  Nora says quietly, as a tear slips silently down her cheek.

“We will protect him.”  Four voices say in unison, with quiet confidence.  Kyle, Aiden and Nora look at their mom, dad, oldest brother and sister in shock.

Morna looks at her two oldest children with obvious pride, and then she mouths, “Thank you.”  She turns her attention to her youngest children.  “We can offer him our protection.”  Luca, Kylor and Aideen all nod their agreement.  “Look just because I don’t like the man doesn’t mean I want him dead.  He is after all your biological father.  And just because you don’t want to be raised by him or maybe even have him in your lives, you do not want him dead.  We are all willing to protect him, it is the right thing to do.”

Nora closes her eyes and after several minutes smiles.  “It might work.  I don’t know… there are a lot of people making a lot of choices right now that will affect the outcome.  But one dominating image that keeps popping into my mind and has for days…

“What is it Pumpkin?” Luca asks quietly.

“Daddy, I am not sure.  I feel like I am being lied to, used or manipulated somehow.  My visions, I mean.  I can’t shake the feeling that I am being tricked.” Nora says quietly.

“It’s okay Pumpkin.  We are careful not to rely too much on second sight.  We know it can be manipulated.  We also know that you can have conflicting visions as people toy with different ideas.  We will be alert, and watching out for you.”  Luca assures his tiny daughter.  He can’t help but marvel at how wise she is at only seven years old.  And he wishes he could give her a normal childhood.

Morna makes eye contact with her mate and they silently resolve to protect their children and strive to give them a normal life as soon as possible.